How important is technology for us today ?

By Leon Buengel

Ipod, mobile phones, Playstation 3, television, Mac Book. These are things that are commonplace in our society. We don't go out without our music. We call our friends to meet up with them. But what would happen if there were no electronic gadgets?

The whole world would be dark, because even our light is electronic. The world of finances would be smashed in less than half a day because it would be impossible to know the sate of stocks and the like in other countries. Traffic lights would not work and there would be many accidents. We would not be able to call a friend to meet up. In our world we NEED electricity – it is necessary for our everyday life – but the idea that people need electronics deserves consideration. How did it come about that life has become impossible without an iPod or mobile phones?

I think the problem is that all this kind of stuff is a luxury. Everyone wants to be different, everyone wants to be connected to the world - so we need the Internet and computers.

We, as the new generation, have another problem. Our problem is that we have to be cool. For example, it is cool to have the new BlackBerry Bold or the new iPod Touch or the new Mac Book Light. These things are not necessary, but we use them to be cool, to be included in a group of people. This is the reason why we cannot live in a world without electronics. We want to form part of a group.

The problem with these devices is that they all have a price. And this is the first problem – people with little money cannot spend it on new iPods or BlackBerrys. Some kids have to live without them, but then they go to school and find that everyone has these things except them. Then they are bullied because they aren't cool.

All in all, I would say that it is good that we have mobile phones and the like – they cannot be bad in themselves. I, for example, use my computer to do homework and research. With my phone I am always connected to the world, and if there is an emergency I can be called. People just have to know that there are risks involved in the use of iPods and phones.